Visa, home, bank account, tax, schools and even the family pet — this guide walks Americans through every part of the move, and our team can handle each one for you under one roof.
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Thresholds in force for 2026. They move with the Portuguese minimum wage and the law, so we confirm them at the start of every case.
D7, D8, Golden Visa, D2, D1 and D3.
For the main applicant, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per child.
Four times the Portuguese minimum wage.
Arts and heritage route; qualifying funds start at €500k.
Portugal has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe for Americans looking for a change. Retirees come for the climate, the pace of life and a lower cost of living than many US cities. Remote workers come because they can keep a US salary or US clients while living in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve or a quiet town in the interior. Families come for safe streets, international schools and an easier, more outdoor way of life. English is widely spoken in the main cities, and a Portuguese residence permit opens the door to the rest of the Schengen area.
A US passport lets you visit Portugal visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but living there needs a residence visa. You apply from the United States for a national visa on the route that fits how you earn your living, enter Portugal on that visa and then convert it into a residence permit with AIMA, the Portuguese immigration agency.
The visa is only one pillar of the move. You will also need a Portuguese tax number (NIF), a bank account, a place to live, health coverage and, if you have children, a school. On top of that, Americans carry an extra layer that other nationalities do not: the US taxes its citizens wherever they live. That is why we approach a move from the US as a 360° relocation rather than a single application.
The right route depends mostly on where your money comes from. These are the six residence routes Americans use most.
For retirees and anyone living on regular passive income: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) or IRA distributions, dividends or rent. You need at least the Portuguese minimum wage — €920 a month in 2026 — plus 50% for a spouse and 30% per child.
For remote employees of US companies and freelancers whose clients are outside Portugal. Your income must be at least four times the minimum wage: €3,680 a month in 2026.
Residency by investment with a light stay requirement of seven days a year on average. Property no longer qualifies; options include qualifying funds from €500,000 and arts and heritage support from €250,000.
For founders and independent professionals starting or moving a business to Portugal. There is no fixed minimum investment — the consulate assesses your business plan and the means behind it.
For Americans who have a job offer or employment contract with a Portuguese employer.
For skilled professionals with a qualifying job offer in Portugal, such as roles in technology, research or senior management.
Most delays for US applicants come from paperwork that has to be ordered and apostilled in the States. Start these early.
Check the expiry date before you apply — it needs to stay valid well beyond your planned stay — and renew it first if it is close.
An FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the US Department of State. It is ordered from the FBI, not your local police.
Birth and marriage certificates for family members moving with you, apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state that issued them.
Social Security award letters, pension statements, 401(k)/IRA, dividend or rental records for the D7; an employer letter, client contracts and pay stubs for the D8; plus recent bank statements.
Your Portuguese tax number is needed for a lease, a bank account and the visa file itself. It can be obtained remotely.
Many applicants show funds held in Portugal. We open the account remotely, without a trip to Portugal.
A signed lease or a property deed showing where you will live once you arrive.
Cover valid in Portugal for the period before you can register with the local health system.
D7 and D8 moves typically take 3–9 months from the first documents to the residence card.
We look at your income, your family and your plans, and confirm which visa you actually qualify for before you gather anything.
We get your Portuguese tax number and open your bank account remotely from the US, so both are ready for the application.
We scout rentals or properties to buy, run virtual tours and review the lease or purchase before you sign.
You order your FBI check and vital records; we check every document against the consulate's list and flag anything that would be questioned.
You file at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre for your area. Once approved, the national visa lets you enter Portugal and attend your residence appointment.
You attend your AIMA appointment and receive a first residence permit valid for two years. We then help with your NISS, healthcare and schools.
Housing, legal, education and everything in between, handled by one team so nothing falls between the cracks.
Our legal team runs your visa and residence permit application from the first document to the residence card.
Rentals or purchases matched to what Americans expect, with off-market scouting, virtual tours, legal due diligence, lease review and utility setup.
We open your Portuguese bank account remotely from the USA — no trip needed.
Private medical cover with access to English-speaking doctors from the day you arrive.
Advice that respects your US filing obligations while making the most of Portuguese law.
From choosing between curricula to enrolment, we make the school search simpler for your family.
Microchip, rabies vaccination and USDA-endorsed health certificate, planned so your pets travel safely.
Your Portuguese tax and Social Security numbers secured remotely, without queues.
At OlaVisa, we take on the bureaucracy so you can concentrate on the move itself. Our legal team owns your application from the first document to the final decision, making sure it is accurate, complete and aligned with what the consulate expects. We make a complicated process simple, so your attention stays on your next chapter rather than on paperwork.
Talk to an advisorWe run your application from beginning to end, so every step is done correctly, without wasted time and to the exact requirements of the consulate that will decide it.
The visa is only the first milestone — the residence card is the real goal. Our support carries on until you hold it, and one fee covers the whole journey to your new life in Portugal.
Each document is checked for accuracy and compliance before it is submitted, which prevents the delays and refusals small errors cause. A secure client portal keeps your files and our updates in one place.
We book and coordinate your VFS, consulate and AIMA appointments as quickly as availability allows, on dates that fit around your plans.
If something does not go to plan, we handle the appeal or correction to put your application back on course. It is never one attempt and done — we stay with you until there is an outcome.
Ask as many questions as you need, with no cap of one or two calls. Our legal team is available by email and phone throughout your case, with clear and timely answers.
The most obvious route is not always the one with the best chance of success. We take the time to understand your whole situation and point you towards the path we believe serves you best.
Our support carries on once your visa is granted. From your Portuguese NIF number to your bank account, we take care of the details so you can settle in with confidence and peace of mind.
Start compliant from day one, with tax guidance built around expats and businesses.
Get your Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account quickly and without the hassle.
Learn moreLaunch your business in Portugal with full legal support, from setting it up to registering it.
Move your team smoothly, with visa, tax and legal support at every step.
Get answers to common questions about visa applications, requirements, and processes.
Relocating is easier with people on your side. With offices in Portugal, the UK, the UAE, Turkey and Australia, our team is on the ground to help you settle in with confidence.
Tell us how you earn your income and who is coming with you, and an advisor will come back with your route and a clear next step.